Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-07-15
HE WAS A BRAVE FELLOW.

When Gen. Bragg's army evacuated
Corinth, Miss, in 1862, there was great
deal of sickness among the soldiers,
nearly one fourth of the army being un-
fit for service.
Captain S. r. Weston, Of Company ii 4,
Fifth Georgia regiment, and myself (be-
longing to Company +. same regimenD,
were on the sick list and not able to
march, but still able to do light duty.
SO we were put in charge Of the sick of
our regiment, who were to be sent down
on Il separate train. While we were at
the depot getting the men aboard and
looking to their comfort we noticed an
other squad to our left, as we faced the
town, loading another train with quar-
termasters' and commissary stores, and
everybody seemed to be in hurry and
in some confusion. Every straggler was
put to work, and many Of the sick men
made to work who ought to have been in
bed. Some boisterous, oyerbearing fell
low was bossing the job, and if he or
dered man to 60 to work and he re-
fused he reported him at once to Gen.
Bragg, who seemed to be superintend
ing the whole movement in person.
Finally young soldier came along on
his way to the cars for the sick. He ap,
peared to be about twenty years of age,
tall and handsome, buI pale and delicate.
The man ior brute) commanding the
working squad saw him, and yelled out:
"Say, young man, fall in here and go
to work. Have these goods into these
cars, and be quick about it,"
The young man replied:
81 am not able to work. If | were |
would be with MY company"
"Eh? Won't work. ch? Wen see
about that. General" he followed out
to General Bragg, who was passing,
"hcre's man who refuses to work.
pointing at the youth, who stood as firm
as rock. Gen. Bragg stopped ami gazed
at the young man, his eyes blazing as
no other mans can blaze, and repeated
the order to help load the cars at once.
The young man repeated his former an
swer, that he Was not able to work; had
he been able to work he would be able
to march and would be with his COM
mand.
The Generals eyes seemed to flash fire
as he exclaimed:
what, You dare to disobey my OIL
ders?"
81 do" calmly replied the young man.
The General called lieutenant of a
Louisiana company of regulars doing
guard duty, and said:
"rake six of your company and carry
this man to that grove and shoot him.
The Lieutenant called out six of his
men and ordered them to load their
guns, and while they were doing so
Gen. Bragg beCkoned the Lieutenant,
stepped behind garden wall, spoke to
him in low tone not heard by any one
else and walked away. The guard
marched the young man to the grove,
about one hundred yards to our right,
placed him upon a stool against a large
oak and stprted to blindfod him, which
he would not permit, but took off his
gold watch and chain anG fine gold
ring from his finger, handed them to
the Lieutenant and requested him to
send them to his mother, at the same
time writing her name and address on
piece Of paper and handing it 10 the
Lieutenant, resumed his position against
the tree, and with proud smile upon
his lips and without tremOr in his
voice, said:
"Now, sir, am ready"
The Lieutenant stepped off ten PAGES,
brought his men to attention, and
commanded, in loud voice, distinctly
heard by us, "Ready Aim."
became so weak l thought should
faint, and caught hold of a small oak for
support and closed my eyes to shut out
the awful deed. There sat a young man,
gazing into the muzzles of six muskets
pointed aS his heart, siDgle one of
which might send his soul into eternity
in the twinkling of an eye. He looked
on as calmly as if he was simply looking
at camera, and was simply having his
photograph taken. But the Lieuten-
ants next command was. "recover
arms ~ which was willingly and prompt
ly obeyed. The Lieutenant then stepped
up to the young man, bade him rise,
grasped his hand in admiration, returned
his watch and ring, which he received
with polite bow and the word "thauks"
and walked away az unconcerned rs if
nothing unusual had occurred.
The Lieutenant and his men returned
to their former position, in few PAGES
of where we were, and pretty soon Gen.
Bragg returned and asked:
"Where is the boyg''
"Gone," said the Lieutenant.
"what did you do:" asked the Cen
eral.
"Just exactly as yop directed re-